WashingtonCities and counties may collect local taxes for community services
Starting in 2027, cities and counties may collect a small sales tax for extra child and family services; counties may also tax property to support public health clinics.
What it does
Cities and counties may collect a small sales tax for extra services for children and families, including child care, youth programs, and shelter or rental help.
Counties may levy up to five cents per $1,000 of property value to run, maintain, or improve public health clinics, including mobile clinics.
Voters may approve regular property tax increases for up to 10 consecutive years, with the ballot explaining how later increases will be calculated and what they will fund.
Argument forLocal sales tax revenue could help cities and counties pay for child care, youth programs, and other services for children and families.
Argument againstLocal sales and property taxes could raise residents’ bills, while local leaders decide whether to use these tax options.
More detail
A city or county may impose a sales and use tax for extra services for children and families. The money must support services for children and families, including child care, youth programs, shelter or rental help, and transportation. The rate may not exceed 0.01 percent. If a city adopts the tax, its county must credit the city tax so the combined rate does not exceed 0.01 percent. This tax authority takes effect January 1, 2027.
A county may levy property taxes to pay for public health clinics. A public health clinic is a fixed or mobile public site providing health services and related help, including care, treatment, and referrals. A county may levy up to five cents per $1,000 of assessed property value in a year. The money may be used only for clinic operations, maintenance, and capital expenses. This provision takes effect July 1, 2026.
A taxing district may ask voters to approve yearly property tax increases for up to 10 consecutive years. This option applies to taxing districts seeking voter approval to raise regular property taxes above the usual yearly limits. The ballot must state the limit factor or index used to calculate later yearly increases and the limited purposes for the increases. Other statutory dollar limits still apply. This provision takes effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 25Effective date 7/1/2026*.Latest
- Mar 25Chapter 221, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 25Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 12Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 12President signed.Major
- Mar 12Speaker signed.Passed Senate
- Mar 11Passed final passage; yeas, 51; nays, 45; absent, 0; excused, 2.Passed House
- Vote recorded Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (#22). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 11House concurred in Senate amendments.
- Mar 5Third reading, passed; yeas, 26; nays, 22; absent, 0; excused, 1.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (#23). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 5Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 5Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended.
- Mar 3Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Mar 2Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Mar 2Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Mar 2Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Mar 2WM - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).Minor
- Mar 2Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 10:30 AM.
- Feb 26Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.
- Feb 19First reading, referred to Ways & Means.Minor
- Feb 17Third reading, passed; yeas, 53; nays, 44; absent, 0; excused, 1.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#1). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 17Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 17Floor amendment(s) adopted.
- Feb 171st substitute bill substituted (FIN 26).Major
- Feb 12Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Feb 9Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Feb 7Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Feb 7Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Feb 7APP - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Finance.Minor
- Feb 7Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 9:00 AM.
- Feb 5Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM.
- Feb 3Referred to Appropriations.Minor
- Jan 29Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Jan 29Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Jan 29FIN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.Major
- Jan 29Executive action taken in the House Committee on Finance at 1:30 PM.
- Jan 20Public hearing in the House Committee on Finance at 8:00 AM.
- Jan 13First reading, referred to Finance.Introduced
Taxes & BudgetHealthcare